A wheel hub also known as a wheel bearing, is a disc support to which the wheel bolts are attached. The bearings are designed to help the CV-joint transmit torque and move. As a result, maintaining a wheel hub not only saves money but also maintains traffic safety & prevents accidents. Having said that, we’ve created a list of wheel hub failure indicators so you can replace them before it’s too late.
SYMPTOMS OF BAD WHEEL HUB FAILURE
Even though the wheel hub has a lengthy service life, it can be destroyed by bumps, falling into holes, or driving too fast. Here are some wheel hub failure indicators that might help you spot the problem before it becomes dangerous.
The symptoms include:
THE TIRE IS MAKING A SQUEAKY SOUND.
A faulty wheel bearing inside a single assembly might also be the cause of a faulty wheel hub assembly. This automotive wheel component will produce a harsh sound, akin to metal-on-metal friction. This noise is triggered by a lack of lubrication within the bearing, as well as a misaligned or broken bearing.
Sound alone makes it difficult to determine which bearing is damaged. If the side wheel hub assembly is damaged, replace both sides on the same axle.
Furthermore, there might be additional causes for screaming noises coming from your automobile. As a result, inspect and repair your car as needed.
VIBRATION OF THE STEERING WHEEL
When the steering wheel begins to vibrate at low speeds, inspect the wheel hub. A faulty wheel hub can potentially cause the steering wheel to come loose when driving, especially while cornering. Typically, this is caused by a worn wheel bearing within the hub assembly. Furthermore, there might be additional reasons why your car’s steering wheel shakes.
AS THEY TURN, THE WHEELS MAKE AN INCREASING CLICK-CLICK SOUND.
Lastly, if you hear a clicking sound that gets faster as you accelerate, this might indicate an issue with the wheel hub assembly. As the car goes down the street, the brake calliper will move up and down and strike the top of the wheels. This is due to a faulty wheel hub assembly bearing.
DIFFICULTY IN USING THE BRAKE
A faulty wheel hub might also cause the braking rotor to shake. As a result, when the brake is applied, the calliper piston returns to its bore. This is why stopping or pulling the car to one side becomes difficult. When you hear screaming, pulsing, or squeaking from the pedal, check to see whether you need to change the brake pads and rotor.
YOU MAY LOSE CONTROL OF YOUR VEHICLE.
One of the most common wheel hub failure symptoms is losing control of your car while driving. This can happen because the wheel bearing maintains the wheel rolling on an axis, and if the bearing is damaged, it may be unable to maintain the axis. This may be exceedingly dangerous, especially while travelling at high speeds.
SYMPTOMS OF BAD WHEEL HUB BEARING
During maintenance, bad wheel hub symptoms might also be recognised. Most of the time, a professional may detect these symptoms while spinning the wheels during a service such as brake maintenance, tire rotation, or even an oil change where the car is suspended.
When the vehicle is on an elevator and the wheel is still securely linked to the wheel hub, when pulled, the wheel assembly swings sideways or up and down. This indicates a broken wheel hub, which must be replaced immediately. Broken wheel hub assemblies must be replaced in pairs on the same axle once more.
Improperly tightening the bolts that attach the wheel to the hub might cause the wheel to flex or loosen, resulting in an accident. As a result, it is critical to purchase the suitable wheel hub for the vehicle being serviced. If you are seeking to buy a used automobile, make sure to inspect the wheel bearings before driving it.
Here are three things that may be done to lessen or eliminate client complaints and keep them secure.
1. Installation Techniques
It may appear simple, but spending the time to guarantee correct installation is the best way to save future repair work. This is especially important with wheel hub bearings and assemblies.
The following are the most prevalent causes of faulty installation:
1. The bearings are misaligned.
2. Incorrect tool usage during the removal of the old bearings
3. Incorrect tool usage for installing new bearings
4. Inadequate axle nut torque (where applicable)
Correct alignment is critical when using ordinary wheel bearings. To avoid failure later, they must be carefully packaged and fitted in line. When removing and replacing pressed-in bearings, which are considerably more popular nowadays, the right tools must be used otherwise the wheel hub may be damaged. Additionally, the manufacturer’s torque specifications must be followed.
Similarly, replacing the hub and properly installing the pieces that hold it in place are crucial.
2. Ascertain that the issue has been resolved.
Wheel hub bearings are sometimes only a sign of a broader problem. In these circumstances, changing the bearings will not solve the problem but will just alleviate the symptoms until the new bearings fail.
Steering misalignment, tire/wheel imbalance, or damage to associated components are all common causes of wheel hub bearing or hub assembly failure. The latter is significant since one of the leading causes of bearing failure is impact that causes them to make contact with the hub. If a bearing replacement is required, look for these problems before proceeding with the repair.
3. Test thoroughly
Finally, properly testing the vehicle after repair is critical to the quality assurance of any company. The tests may not reveal an issue with wheel hubs since they grow over time. The testing should look for factors other than the hub and bearings that might be causing the failure. After-repair testing should be performed by a mechanic other than the one doing the job. This adds another set of eyes to the installation, which can assist in detecting problems and lessen the possibility of a reinstallation.
This brings our tutorial on wheel hub failure signs to a close. Driving with a faulty wheel bearing is extremely dangerous, thus keep an eye out for these indications and replace the wheel hub as needed. When your wheel hubs wear out, you may get replacements from The Autoparts Shop.